Treating anxiety
When treating anxiety, the most common effective treatment is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).
Because CBT is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on modifying dysfunctional emotions, behaviors, and thoughts. The therapy focuses on present circumstances and emotions in real-time, as opposed to childhood events.
A clinician will usually ask about family history. Due to the need for a better sense of the entire person, but will not spend inordinate time on past events.
The emphasis is on what a person is telling themself that might result in a sense of anxiety or disturbance. Furthermore, encouraged to address rational concerns practically. To challenge irrational beliefs, rumination or catastrophizing.
A client upset about being alone is encouraged to take measures to change. Also to question any undue negativity or unwarranted premise. The “I will be alone forever” expectation that they attach to a present-day fact.
Also CBT is appropriate for people of all ages, including children, adolescents, and adults.
Why CBT?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be useful with a wide range of issues. For that reason, it is often the preferred type of psychotherapy. This is because it can quickly help identify and cope with specific challenges. Compared to other types of therapy CBT usually takes fewer sessions.
CBT is a useful tool to address emotional challenges. For example to help:
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- Manage symptoms of mental illness
- Prevent a relapse of mental illness symptoms
- When medication is not a good option to treat a mental illness
- Learn techniques for coping with stressful life situations
- Identify ways to manage emotions
- Resolve relationship conflicts and learn better ways to communicate
- Cope with grief or loss
- Overcome emotional trauma as a result of abuse or violence
- Cope with a medical illness
- Manage chronic physical symptoms
Mental health disorders that may improve because of CBT include:
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- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Phobias
- PTSD
- Sleep disorders
- Eating disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Substance use disorders
- Bipolar disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Sexual disorders
CBT can be delivered online as well as in face to face sessions.